Xifaxan

I was just put on this new med. Xifaxan. It is only for HE.  Has anyone else heard of it or used it?  It suppose to clear the brain of toxins. It's very expensive (1,400/month) and does not come in generic.  He still has me on lactulose,too.  I have esld(end stage liver disease) I have many diagnoses with secondary diagnoses. Any info would be appreciated.

Post Edited (Imp36) : 10/24/2010 5:43:38 PM (GMT-6)

Thanks Connie.  I spelt it wrong and just corrected it(oops!)  My Dr. called the rep. and tried to get coupons or any kind of help for the cost and they wouldn't help.  My Dr. is going to give me samples but he can only do it every other month which is great because it'll cut the yearly expense in half.  We're still checking other resources for assistance.  Dr. said this is a maintenance med. and I'd be on it until I get a transplant or the rest of my life.  I still don't understand if I'm lactulose why do I need Xifaxan? He did say it's an anti bacterial med to keep the brain clear of toxins because he said he saw confusion and shaking hands in me and said the levels where getting too high and this is suppose to clear the brain and make the confusion less.  At this price I hope it works...lol :)

 

Imp,

 

Xifaxan is an anti-biotic that was approved by the FDA in 2004 to treat traveler’s diarrhea.  However, studies have shown that it decreases the recurrence of hepatic encephalopathy in patients who have already experience it.  It is used in conjunction with Lactulose. 

 

Xifaxan is believed to reduce bacteria in the stomach.  Ammonia is the byproduct (waste) of bacteria so in theory, if you reduce the volume of bacteria, you reduce the volume of ammonia.

 

Lactulose is a synthetic sugar that draws fluid (to include ammonia) into the intestinal track to be expelled by the body. 

 

Xifaxan is extremely expensive.  My husband was on it for more than a year.  Thankfully, my insurance covered it, but I had to pay over a $100 co-pay for a three-month supply.

 

Penny